APPLY FOR ELE West Central Florida

This application is for students in West Central Florida FCA - Polk, Hardee, Highlands, Desoto, + Ridge County.

APPLY FOR ELE Gulf Coast

This application is for students in Sarasota FCA - Charlotte, Manatee, Sarasota.

What is THE ELE?

ELE provides biblical-leadership training to high school students and includes:

  • A monthly session covering in-depth leadership training
  • Spring and fall community outreach opportunities
  • Network with fellow student leaders and believers
  • Fundraising for 101 Student Leadership University(SLU) summer intensive 

ELE is active in two areas: 

  • West Central Florida FCA - Polk, Hardee, Sebring, Heartland, + Ridge County
  • Sarasota FCA - Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, + Lee County.

Applying is EASY

Applications for the 2024-2025 school year are currently open and close Aug. 14th, 2024.


Step 1: Fill out the application

Step 2: After you submit your application, you will be redirected to a page where you can schedule your Zoom interview. Please note that at least one parent or guardian needs to be on the call with you! If you don't immediately schedule an interview, a follow-up email or text will be sent with the link to the schedule page. We encourage students to schedule their interviews earlier rather than later.

Step 3: Party once you have received a confirmation and welcome email!

MARIAH - Hardee High School

As I enter my second year in the FCA Emerging Leader Experience, I am excited to learn more about being a good leader and most

importantly how to use those skills to impact God’s Kingdom. Serving at camp was just as life-changing for me as it was for the kids in my huddle.

BRAYDEN - Bartow High School

The FCA Emerging Leader Experience equips students who want to learn how to lead through the word of Christ. It has been an amazing experience for me.

I have met inspiring people and have formed friendships with fellow ELE students that will last forever. I have especially enjoyed the community outreach

opportunities that the ELE has provided. The FCA Emerging Leader Experience is awesome and I’m so happy to be part of it.

ALINA - McKeel Academy

My experience with The Emerging Leadership Experience has been an eye-opening opportunity that I am extremely excited to continue this year. Along with being able to hear from amazing speakers, I got to enjoy the discipline of raising funds needed for the SLU 101 Trip. Throughout my journey, I got to meet inspirational leaders in my hometown and be able to get to know students my age who want to pursue their leadership skills and who look to help others and show God through them. This experience has opened the door to God’s plan for me and I’m thankful to be able to continue this walk with the ELE team.

  ELE FAQ's

 We want to get you to ELE in the best shape possible, 

so here are a few FAQ's and helpful resources to get you started.

  • What is the ELE 2024-25 West Central Florida Calendar?

    2024-25 Dates


    - Aug. 14th | New Student Applications Close

    - Aug. 24th | Orientation and Induction at Ardella Baptist Church 

               - Letter Writing Fundraiser Kick off at Orientation

               - 201-401 Orientation // 2:35-3:30PM with Parents

               - 101 Orientation // 3:34-4:50PM with Parents

               - Induction with Parents 5PM-6:15PM

    - Sep. 14th | Session 1: Influence from 9:30-11AM

    - Oct. 12th | Session 2: Mentorship from 9:30-11AM

    - Oct. 26th | Workday Fundraiser from 8AM-3PM

    - Nov. 2nd | ELE Hangout at Wilderness Shores Ranch from 3-6PM

    - Nov. 16th | Session 3: Time + Dreaming // from 9:30-11AM

    - Nov. 16th - Dec.6th | Mister Car Wash Gift Card Pre-sales

    - TBA | December Parents Night Out Fundraiser @ Kathleen Baptist from 5:15 PM - 8:45 PM

    - TBA | December Community Outreach at Parker Street Ministries Christmas Store from 6:30-7:30 pm

    -Jan. 11th | Session 4: Relationships from 9:30-11AM

    -Jan 11th - Feb 8th | Strawberry Fundraiser Pre-Sales

    - Feb. 8th | Session 5: Motivation from 9:30-11AM

    - Feb. 22nd | Strawberry Sales Pick Up Day

    - March 8th | Session 6: Engagement from 9:30-11 AM - COME AND SEE ELE

    - March 29th | March Workday from 8AM-3PM

    - April 5th | Lead the Way 5K

    - April 12th | Session 7: Calling from 9:30-11AM

    - TBA | Spring Community Outreach

    - SLU101 Trip | July 7-10, 2025

    - SLU 201 Washington D.C.: July 14-18, 2025

    - SLU 301 London, Oxford, Normandy, & Paris: July 20-28, 2025


    *At each session, ELE provides a light breakfast! Once you have been approved, look out for a survey where you can submit dietary needs!


    Group Fundraiser Calendar: More info about these in the Zoom interview

    - Letter Writing Fundraiser Kick-off at Orientationaiser // (Jan.-Feb.)

    - Oct. 26th | Workday Fundraiser from 8AM-3PM

    - Nov. 16th - Dec.6th | Mister Car Wash Gift Card Pre-sales

    - TBA | December Parents Night Out Fundraiser @ Kathleen Baptist from 5:15 PM - 8:45 PM

    - Jan 11th - Feb 8th | Strawberry Fundraiser Pre-Sales

    - Feb. 22nd | Strawberry Sales Pick Up Day

    - March 29th | March Workday from 8AM-3PM

    - April 5th | Lead the Way 5K

  • What are the benefits of ELE?

    1. In ELE  you will gain and refine leadership skills, tools, and resources to use now and take with you to your job, college, and opportunities.
    2. Once you have been in our program, our staff is happy to write you letters of recommendation for job and college applications!
    3. Leadership training, especially ELE, looks really good on your resume or an application.

  • What happens after I apply?

    1. After you submit your application, you will be redirected to a page where you can schedule your Zoom interview. Please note that at least one parent or guardian needs to be on the call with you! If you don't immediately schedule an interview, a follow-up email or text will be sent with the link to the schedule page. We encourage students to schedule their interviews earlier rather than later.
    2. After you complete your zoom interview, you will be given a few days to talk as a family and decided whether ELE is a good fit for you. If it is, you will receive a welcome email from your new ELE family! If ELE isn't a fit for you, let us know.

  • What are best Zoom interview practices?

    Whether you are a new student or a returner, everyone can implement best practices for your ELE Zoom interview. Here are our tips for success:

    1. Pick a quiet space with a good internet connection.
    2. Position your camera in a stable position, focused at eye level, if possible. 
    3. Wear business casual attire: Men: short-sleeved button-downs or collared shirts. Ladies: casual dress or blouse. 
    4. Have at least one parent or guardian on the call with the student.
    5. Have a notebook or piece of paper ready to take notes or write down questions you have along the way.

  • INVITE A FRIEND!

    Invite your friends who you think would be a good fit for ELE. We are looking for students who exhibit a desire for Biblical leadership growth, are committed to the session dates and fundraising goals, and would be an asset to our program.


    If you have someone in mind, tell them all about it and send them the link to our website: westcentralfloridafca.org/ele

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This project was funded in part by an Impact Polk grant from the George W. Jenkins Fund within GiveWell Community Foundation.

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ELE Community Partners

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JOIN THE JOURNEY TO CHANGE LIVES

We believe that every student should have the opportunity to engage in leadership training that will equip them to dream big and to lead with purpose.
Two Giving Opportunities
1. GENERAL FUND – Equip this generation to Think, Dream and Lead at the feet of Jesus. Your giving allows us to continue to expand our leadership training capacity.
2. SPONSOR A STUDENT – Give the gift of leadership development to a promising student. Give to a student you know or bless someone new!
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